How to strike the perfect Game of Thrones-style deal

When it comes to deal-making Daenerys and her Seven Kingdom chums could teach today's business execs a thing or two. As Kristy Dorsey primes her digibox for the start of Season 7 on Sunday she takes time out to give her top five examples

In the last of our epic sword and sandals look at top business tips from the hit series Game of Thrones, we're almost ready to shut down our computers and prime the Sky box to watch the brand new Season 7.

Read More

But not before we've finished our final instalment - the deal. As you can imagine the previous six series have rather a lot of good - and graphic - examples of how to do it and, er, how not.

Here are our top five.

Never Underestimate Your Adversary

Daenerys mastered the art of the deal in her negotiations with Kraznys of Astapor, who demanded that the wide-eyed girl in front of him surrender her dragon Drogo in exchange for his slave army.

'Anyone up for a barbeque this weekend?'

He realises his mistake after Daenerys reminds him that dragons aren't chattel, and promptly orders Drogo to barbeque the slave trader and his cronies, then makes off with her newly-liberated army.

Play to Your Strengths

The Greyjoys were guilty of too much - erm - navalgazing

Despite having the most feared naval fleet on the seas, the Greyjoys decide to focus their energy on land battles in the north – a curious plan given that the capitol of Westeros is vulnerable to naval assault.

Read More

Virtually all of the territory they take in the north is recaptured, with many of their best warriors lost in the process.

Think Outside the Box

Ready, aim.... wildfire!

When Tyrion was given the challenge of preparing the capitol, King's Landing, to withstand a large invasion, his forces were vastly outnumbered.

He outflanks the opposition by keeping the men from the Lannister fleet within the city, and deploys wildfire to destroy his enemies on the water.

Foster Strategic Alliances

Yay, it worked. Or maybe not...

There is no one house in Game of Thrones with the might to conquer the rest of them.

In the business world, a smaller predator can take down larger prey, but often it's better to team up in the form of strategic alliances, agreed mergers and occasionally even a combined takeover of a third business.